‘Festa dei Doni’ 2025: Half Price Admission to the Uffizi for Couples

 

Raphael’s portraits of Agnolo Doni and his wife Maddalena Strozzi

The famous Renaissance portraits of Angolo Doni and his wife Maddalena Strozzi are part of the Uffizi collection, and on Friday, January 31, their 522nd wedding anniversary, two tickets for the price of one are being offered to couples who wish to tour the museum on that day. The name of this special initiative, “Festa dei Doni” (Festival of the Gifts), is also a play on last name of the historic pair depicted in the paintings who are dressed elegantly and wearing precious jewellery.

To admire the masterpieces of the Uffizi (hours:  8:15 am – 6:30 pm) will cost €12.50 per person for a couple instead of €25 (plus an extra €4 if one makes a reservation, which is not required).

Agnolo Doni, a merchant who specialized in exporting textiles throughout Europe allied himself with the powerful Medici family by marrying Maddalena Strozzi, and their 1503 wedding and reception was a costly and sumptuous affair.  Art patrons, husband and wife later gave Michelangelo the commission for the Tondo Doni, a painting of the Holy Family — Mary, Joseph and the child Jesus — in honor of the birth of their first child, which is also displayed at the museum.  (rosanna cirigliano)